Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi recently highlighted a concerning trend in the state—rising crimes against Scheduled Castes. Speaking at the commemoration of Baba Saheb B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary at Bharathiar Mandapam, Raj Bhavan, Mr. Ravi revealed some alarming statistics. In 2020, there were 12,174 cases reported, showing an increase of over 1,800 cases in just two years—a significant 50% rise. He specifically pointed out the escalating crimes against Dalit women, shedding light on a distressing reality that demands attention and action.
Governor Ravi’s Concerns
In his presidential address, Governor Ravi emphasized that these statistics are not mere numbers but represent real people facing injustice and discrimination. He lamented the fact that despite Tamil Nadu’s reputation for championing social justice, there are distressing incidents that tarnish this image. One such incident he mentioned involved discovering human excreta in a water tank, highlighting the deplorable conditions faced by Dalit communities in the state.
Educational Disparities and Future Prospects
Governor Ravi also drew attention to the educational disparities faced by Dalit children in government schools. Shockingly, he revealed that more than half of high school students in this demographic struggle to read a second-standard book or identify two-digit numbers between 11 and 99. Despite these challenges, these students are granted 100% pass results and admitted to colleges without the necessary skills or foundational education to succeed in the knowledge economy of today.
He pointed out the contrasting realities between private schools, which produce top-performing students, and government schools, which lag behind even historically underperforming states. Governor Ravi underscored the fact that these discrepancies disproportionately affect Dalit children, condemning them to a cycle of poverty due to inadequate access to quality education. He raised concerns about the future employability of these graduates, highlighting the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure a brighter future for these marginalized communities.
Governor Ravi stressed that this issue transcends politics—it is a fundamental human and social concern. He emphasized that every child, regardless of their background, deserves a life of dignity as promised by the Constitution. Addressing the root causes of poverty and illiteracy among Dalit communities is crucial to upholding these principles and ensuring a more equitable society for all citizens.
As Governor Ravi’s report sheds light on the challenges faced by Dalit communities in Tamil Nadu, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight for social justice and equality in the state. The need for comprehensive reforms in education, employment, and social welfare becomes evident, calling for collective efforts to address these systemic issues and create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all residents.
